Social Studies Staff Development Austin ISD Austin, TX February 12, 2010

Laura Ewing President/CEO Texas Council on Economic Education

Interesting hands-on lessons that develop critical thinking skills for students in Economics, Social Studies, Math, and Career/Technical Education classes.

Economics Personal Financial Literacy Investor Education Student Activities

Team Fees are covered by Fidelity Investments 10 week live simulation Virtual $100,000 Trade stocks, bonds and mutual funds Grades 4 – 12

Stock Market Game Economic Challenge Virtual Economics All Events are listed at

FREE through 2/28/10 79 publications, 1200 lessons 28 publications 500 economic terms

March 29-April 2 Online competition April 13 State Finals Capitol April 26 National Finals Online David Ricardo Division National Semi-finals Online Adam Smith Division National Finals NYC Adam Smith Division

San Antonio Third or fourth week in June

1(b) Analyze the consequences of an economic decision made by an individual consumer 2(a) analyze the economic rights and responsibilities of businesses 2(b) Analyze the consequences of an economic decision made by a business 23(a) analyze information by sequencing, categorizing, identifying cause- and-effect relationships, comparing, contrasting, finding the main idea, summarizing, making generalizations and predictions, and drawing inferences and conclusions

Focus What strategies peak student interest in learning?

What are the steps? 1. Choose a high interest mystery for your students. 2. Have the entire class discuss the first story 3. Display the Handy Dandy Guide on a wall chart 4. Explain each of the principles first

1. Read the visual 2. Discuss the Handy Dandy Guide 3. Assign each person to be responsible for arguing one or two clues. 4. The group decides on a solution and an explanation

1. Pp Why Dont All Students Study Hard at School? 2. Pp The Case of the Pampered Chickens 3. Pp Having Many Children or Few 4. PP The Credit Card Mystery 5. Pp Scarce Health Care in the Inner Cities 6. Pp Why Would Mexico Want To Trade With the U. S. and Canada?

Process Why did we do these activities? Summarize the point of the lesson